Exercise....? (pilates & yoga)

Hi There,

Just wondering what sort of exercise everyone is doing...? I do a bit of walking, when we walk the dog, but after reading how important it is to do gentle exercise when pregnant, for a multitude of reasons, I went to a pilates class today. When I told the instructor I was pregnant (so she could give me modified exercises if necessary, or advise me to skip a step if it wasn't suitable etc) - anyways, she said I should not be doing pilates or yoga full stop, that it wasn't suitable for pregnant women at all, and that all I could is light walking and nothing else. I thought this sounded fairly ridiculous, as I can think of lots of exercise that would be beneficial for pregnancy and later for running around after kids etc, like swimming (which is no impact), water aerobics, even light weights etc, squats to strengthen the legs... the list goes on.

Of course I am going to consult with my doctor and see what he thinks about yoga and pilates etc etc, but the way this woman lectured me made me feel like a real idiot!!

When I look on the internet, it does say that pilates and yoga can be great for pregnancy, as long as the instructor is aware etc, or if possible, go to a prenatal yoga/pilates class...

Just wondering if anyone does yoga or pilates, would love to be made to feel like less of an idiot after the nazi like instructor told me off in front of everyone!!

Yes I did and they are suitable but it is important to go to a specialised pregnancy class with an accredited instructor I think.

As you say, it's a good idea to check with your doctor first (I don't know if you have any health concerns) so if they give you the all clear, it is fine to exercise.

Hi Emma

I think that instructor must be a bit of a novice. Pilates, yoga, and most forms of exercise can be very beneficial in pregnancy. Find your self an instructor who knows what they are talking about and ask them what they can o for you.

I do a pre-natal pregnancy class and I love it! Its specially designed for pregnancy and we do things like breathing through contractions and positions to help the baby turn from breech etc etc We also do a lot of stretching and weight bearing exercises to help our muscles.

I also walk a couple of times a week - when its not raining and I can be bothered!!! :)

So I would say do a search on google or ask your obs/midwife/clinic if they know of a class you could do. :)

I've signed up for a yoga class. They hold a special pre-natal class at my hospital. I've also seen that other Yoga places have a pre natal class too, but it must be OK to do yoga when pregnant if they have the classes run by the hospital.

So jealous of all the prenatal yoga - all the prenatal classes are run during the working day here, so because I work, I can't attend. That's really not good!

I do low-impact aerobics (well, I did until a few weeks ago when the sciatica started), pregnancy yoga (from a book), dancercise (but only if I have the wondergirdle on), walking and general housework: that is exercise, the equipment is heavy and there's lots of up-and-down movement! I only stopped for a couple of weeks because of the sciatica but now I'm up and going again.

Also it's worth squatting down when you're reading or watching the TV; this helps strengthen all the muscles in your thighs ready for giving birth. Luckily I find this very comfortable anyway so did it lots pre-baby!

I did pilates all through my PG. There are some excersices you can't do so a decent instructor should be able to modify your program to suit you throughout all stages.
Had you been doing pilates before your PG? I can understand her reasoning if you hadn't but pilates is brilliant for the pelvic floor and it keeps you well toned.
Maybe find a different instructor!

I did yoga through my first pregnancy and am doing again this time. We don't have a pregnancy yoga class nearby, so I just do the normal class and the instructor modifies some of the moves for me. I am also doing aqua-natal classes, which is a water aerobics class designed for pregnancy. I will get back to walking too, once the girls go back to school after the holidays.

Jo

I also did yoga during my first pg, just with a normal instructor & she would tell me the positions i could & couldn't do. I found it really helpful just to stretch my mussles in different ways & just to relax. Unfortuanatly i haven't started yoga this time round as i don't have anywhere to take my DD when the classes r on.
There are heaps of places thatr designed just for pg women, just look in ur phone book or on the internet.

I also walk when i can be bothered, which isn't much at the moment. So i got some small toning balls which weigh 1kg each & just work my arms when i watch tv.

Good luck finding something that suits u:)

I have a yoga for pregnancy dvd which i do. I love it heaps, it's so good. I told the dr and he said that it was fine doing that as well

I can still run across a road at 30w!! I did it yesterday, and was fine - just a few BH's afterwards, but they are good for your uterus ;) But then I was playing and umpiring netball up to 20w, so its a bit different for me.
Its all about what you are used to, as the others have said, find a specialist instructor and you will be fine.

Some days you will have good days, and others things will be a bit sorer. Its really important not to push yourself on the days you are sore, go away and come back to it another time.

I have been doing a pre-natal yoga class and it has been great - plenty of stretching and lots of leg strengthening poses. I also bought myself the preggiebellies dvd and have been doing that a couple of times a week.....I nearly cried the first time - squatting exercises hurt a bit more than ususal with all the extra weight!

I just wish this 'gentle exercise' was enough to offset the rigorous baking and eating campaign I have undertaken recently!

thanks guys...
i might try to find a pregnancy yoga dvd or something...
unfortunately i have moved from melbourne and am now living, i guess u would call it the country!!! exercise classes are really limited and there doesn't seem to be anything specifically prenatal.... but i hear a gym may be starting a preggie bellies class (fitball etc) so i will keep my eyes out for that starting.

Emma - does the "country" place you now live have any physios? My prenatal pilates class is run by a physio. Quite a few physio's these days are accredited in pilates and take groups one on one or one on four/six etc. Even if you saw one for a couple of visits and design your own regime to do at home?

I had a midwife raise an eyebrow at me a few weeks back because I was still running, good to know that it's still OK at 30w, Fi! Although I don't enjoy running, so it's being slowly dropped from my exercises.

I mainly go for 30 min walks in the evening. I also do 2 pregnancy exercise DVDs--one is Pilates and the other is a cardio, strengthening, Pilates mix. I was jogging in very early pregnancy but didn't like how I bounced so I stopped. Then I got morning sickness anyway and could barely do anything so exercise was out of the question. Sometimes I will do one of my non-pregnancy DVDs and just modify the exercises when needed. I don't like how the pregnancy DVDs don't get your heart rate up because from what I've read and heard, most exercises are still safe. I hope to join a pregnancy water aerobics class next month when we move to Adelaide but I hate the idea of going by myself.

hi!
I'm doing bodypump 3-4 times a week, use the crosstrainer and step and also attend a yoga/pilates/taichi class. The instructors & my gp know and there's no problem with it at all. Of course I'm not doing situps ;) but I`ve been pretty active before I fell pregnant (I'm 16 weeks now) and as long as I feel good I'll keep doing it!

hi emma and everyone
yeah, i'm loving my exercise - i'd be lost without it. apparently if you've always exercised its still alright while preggers. i'm loving swimming, and walk regularly, and use the gym - i feel a bit conspicuos at the gym now, but i only do light weights, and take it fairly easy. my feet/ankles are starting to swell now, so i'll do more swimming, to try and offset the swelling.
emma, i'd definitely try and find another class - if there are any in your area.
good luck with it all:)